Our Team
Our team of staff, volunteers and directors strive to represent the brilliance and beauty of the Islands. Our team all know Haida Gwaii as home, and we represent communities from Gaw Tlagée, Masset, HlGaagilda Llnagaay, and Daajing Giids.
Guusdagang Mary Elizabeth Hart, Executive Director
Guusdagang Mary Elizabeth Hart is a proud member of the Gak’yaals Kiigawaay Raven Clan of the Haida Nation. Her ancestral roots connect her to the lands and waters of Haida Gwaii, guiding her life's work in cultural preservation and community empowerment.
Guusdagang's professional journey reflects her commitment to the stewardship of Haida Gwaii's cultural and natural heritage. She has served as a Cultural Resource Management Advisor at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site where she focused on upholding cultural integrity, projects and programs.
In addition to her role at Gwaii Haanas, Guusdagang served for many years as a board member with Swiilawiid and she continues to serve as a director for the Island Wellness Society. She contributes to initiatives aimed at fostering a sustainable future and resilient wellness for the islands' communities.
Zachary Mosse, Youth & Programs Engagement Lead
jaa@swiilawiid.org
Zachary, a Sgiida Kaw Raven, was born and raised in Masset. Currently residing in Old Massett, Zachary joined us initially as a member of the Youth Climate Action Fellowship and recently began a full-time position with Swiilawiid. Zachary is a strong supporter of uplifting Youth voices and ensuring they have proper representation at all discussions around Climate Change, Renewable Energy and the future of Haida Gwaii as a whole.
Zach was incredibly excited to join us and looks forward to helping embolden Youth voices and representation on Haida Gwaii.
Kuuyaa Jiihliis Avery Robson Future Peoples Ambassador
future.peoples@swiilawiid.org
Avery belongs to the K’ils XaaydaGa Ravens of K’uuna Llnagaay.
Avery had initially joined Swiilawiid under the Youth Climate Action Fellowship and now supports Zachary as the Future Peoples Ambassador. She has resided on Haida Gwaii for most of her life and has recently completed her post secondary education in Anthropology and Indigenous studies with deep interests in our climate and relationship to our land through archaeological and cultural lenses.
Through her work with Swiilawiid, she is inspired to empower others to commit to planning for the future of our communities on Haida Gwaii. Avery is incredibly excited and grateful to uplift our youth in leading discussions around our future with our relationship to land, community, sustainability, and wellbeing.
Hannah Fregin, Hl’yak’ii Program Lead
Hannah is an Eagle from the Tsiits gitnaee clan and spent her early years in Old Massett. Although she moved off Haida Gwaii with her family at a young age, Hannah always knew she would move home. Hannah lived in Ottawa, ON and Coquitlam, BC with her family. She also lived in Kamloops, BC as a young adult while attending university.
Hannah grew a love for tourism while obtaining her degree in Tourism Management from Thompson Rivers University and working the summer seasons at Hippa Lodge on the west coast of Haida Gwaii.
Recently, Hannah worked many seasons with Gwaii Haanas, as an Interpretation Officer. Hannah is excited to shift the focus from interacting and educating tourists to engaging and learning from the community.
Niisii Guujaaw, Co-Founder and Director
Niisii belongs to the Kayahl ‘laanas clan of Ts'aahl and has a combined degree of Marine Biology and Indigenous Studies from UBC. She now works in marine planning for the Haida Nation, and otherwise can be found learning Xaayda Kil, learning to grow and gather food, or on the water with family. She's excited about sustainability and renewable energy on Haida Gwaii, because energy independence empowers our communities to continue to protect these islands from resource extraction and other industrial threats. As an auntie, she’s proud to see younger generations leading in the shift to energy independence, and is committed to the responsibility to steward the lands and waters who give so much to us.
Lucy Neville, Co-Founder and Director
Lucy has worked throughout the Islands in stewardship and place-based education, and holds an HonBSc in Environmental Science and an MA in Law. A career firefighter, novice gardener, and saltwater enthusiast, she is passionate about the power of community-based leadership to drive the shift to sustainable, sovereign energy systems. Lucy visualizes Swiilawiid’s work as that of a nuu octopus: “we act as a conduit; we use our tentacles within the community to connect knowledge, people and vision.”
Brady Yu, Co-Founder and Director
Chair, Policy + Partnerships
Brady works in policy, paramedicine, and volunteers as a firefighter. They see the transition to renewable energy as an important part of Haida sovereignty, reciprocity and climate action. Brady has an HonBSc in Biology, Chemistry and English, and an MSc in Natural Resource Management. He is a parent to twin toddlers, and is passionate about spending time outdoors, travelling and sharing food with friends.
Jaalen Edenshaw, Director
Jaalen is a father, and carver who draws his inspiration from the lands, waters and culture of Haida Gwaii. His philosophy is that with all that this land has given us, we must give back. He believes that we cannot take this place for granted and we cannot continue to rely on fossil fuels while we are fighting to protect our homelands from oil and gas industries. When asked what guides Swiilawiid’s work, Jaalen said, “a big part of why we all came together is because we’re trying to create something positive. We want to use our energies to look after this land and see some positive change.”
Gwaliga Hart, Director
Gwaliga is a Gak’yaals Kiigawaay Raven and has worked in various complementary fields around Haida Gwaii. He has a degree in Anthropology with a focus in First Nations Languages and Linguistics from UBC. Gwaliga believes in yahgudang respect for all things and he understands that in order to continue living traditions and values on Haida Gwaii, we have to take care of this place and live in accordance. He is passionate about helping protect and take care of Haida Gwaii, working cooperatively, and growing a better future for the next generations.
K’aayhl’taa Haanas Valine Brown, Director
Valine, a K’aawas Eagle, dedicates her life and energy towards justice, Indigenous rights and title and defending Haida Gwaii from the threat of large-scale oil and gas export projects. She believes in the power of people and connection to place and is deeply committed to contributing to resilience. She finds endless joy with her family, she enjoys growing and harvesting food, and is an aspiring weaver. She’s proud of many things Swiilawiid has accomplished, especially the Hlk’yak’ii program, in partnership with the Haida Gwaii Museum.
Our Paw-rtners
The Swiilawiid team is supported, uplifted and inspired by our 4-legged companions. Meet some of our best friends!
